Top cops salute schoolboy's plea

A SCHOOLBOY has told the country's 200 top policemen - `don't judge a book by its cover, we all want a future'. Matthew Caine, 15, won a loud round of applause at Manchester Central with his rousing speech to the Association of Chief Police Officers' annual conference.

A SCHOOLBOY has told the country's 200 top policemen - `don't judge a book by its cover, we all want a future'.

Matthew Caine, 15, won a loud round of applause at Manchester Central with his rousing speech to the Association of Chief Police Officers' annual conference.

Matthew, from Old Trafford, was one of 45 boys on the first phase of the Reclaim scheme, aimed at giving opportunities to young boys and girls from south Manchester and Gorton.

The conference opened on Tuesday with a rundown of Manchester's historical, cultural, scientific and sporting achievements. But the successes were set alongside the city's struggle with gang and gun crime.

GMP Chief Constable Peter Fahy told delegates he wanted to show them `the future' before introducing Matthew and fellow Trinity High School pupil Isaac Adegbola.

Matthew told the audience, including Shadow Home Secretary Chris Grayling: "I was picked to be in the first Reclaim project and it's helped boost my confidence and self-esteem. It's proved I don't have to live up to the Gunchester stereotype.

Stereotype

"We know police are human and they are just trying to get bad people off the streets.

"I want to say thanks. I would also like to say 'don't judge a book by its cover'."

His friend Isaac said: "Coming from Moss Side comes with a lot of stereotypes and associations with knife crime and gun crime. We're taking steps for a better future for ourselves. I think the police can help us, but we have to help ourselves first."

Isaac, who wants to work in IT or the law, later told the M.E.N: "They listened to us, so we have to give them some respect."

Matthew admitted he could have considered joining a gang.

He said: "We could have thought about it in the area where we live, but Reclaim helped us. There are a few people who have turned their lives around and are back on track."

Mr Fahy told the M.E.N: "It's really for the good of all of us that we are looking at young black lads. There are certain stereotypes and it's for all of us to challenge those stereotypes."